Weight gain woes for home workers

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Weight gain woes for home workers

Working from home may shrink your commute but workers fear it could add to their waistlines, according to a new survey.

The global survey by Regus found that of New Zealand respondents who worked from home at least occasionally, one in three (32 per cent) were afraid of getting fat because they were tempted to snack more.

A similar number (33 per cent) admitted to getting lonely while working from home and nearly half (46 per cent) felt family members did not take their work as seriously when they worked from home.

Regus New Zealand Area Director Pierre Ferrandon says the survey shows working from home affects workers differently and suits some more than others.

“Working from home can have several benefits compared to commuting to an office but it is not for everyone. For some, the biggest worry is avoiding temptation and staying out of the pantry,” he says.

“Other workers struggle with the isolation of working on their own, or find it difficult to get their work done without being distracted by family, especially if their family don’t respect their work.”

The survey found the biggest thing missing for those who work from home is the personal interaction workers experience in an office setting.

Almost two-thirds of New Zealand respondents (63 per cent) said they missed interaction with other professionals.

The same number said they regularly popped out of the house to stop themselves getting stale, while one in five said their family resented that they had taken over a space in the house for their home office.

“Your pets may vie for your attention when you work from home, but that is no substitute for office banter with your colleagues,” Ferrandon says.

He says working from home is a growing trend in New Zealand and globally as workers seek greater flexibility and look to avoid the daily grind of commuting.

“Many workers have to commute into the CBD, which can be a nightmare in a congested city like Auckland. Regus is looking to expand its presence in the suburbs, so workers can enjoy a shorter trip to work without the drawbacks of working from home.”

www.regus.co.nz

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